NPCC calls for a joint secular front

Appealing to the people of Nagaland to reject outright the BJP-NDPP alliance “remote-controlled” by Hindutva forces, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has called for a joint front of secular parties to provide secular and stable government and stop the “onslaught” of Hindutva forces in the State.
 Media Cell of NPCC on Saturday maintained that, the Assembly elections of 2018 will be a watershed moment in the history of Nagaland since this would not be a mere clash of political parties fighting for power, but a clash of ideologies that would define the course of politics in the State in the years ahead.
On one side, there was Indian National Congress that stood by the ideology and principles of secularism and liberal democracy, and on the other there was BJP representing Hindutva forces “ably supported by alliance partners like NDPP”, the statement added.
Stating that people had a choice to either accept or reject the Hindutva forces before they were left without any choice once these forces grabbed power and started imposing their divisive agenda, NPCC pointed out that in guarding this precious choice of the people, Congress had always stood by its ideological commitment to the idea of secularism and liberal democracy all through the years and that it would not allow BJP and its alliance partner NDPP to compromise the rights of “our people and our way of life”.
“Our people need a peaceful and stable secular government and not the BJP’s brand of disruptive communal politics that is inviting more trouble in our already troubled land,” the statement added.
NPCC said that BJP’s “relentless pursuit” of holding Assembly elections in Nagaland by disregarding the wishes and aspirations of the people would remain a big blot in the long history of Nagas. Charging BJP, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of having no solution for the Nagas, the party said their promise of finding settlement within 18 months of coming to power had now stretched to 45 months and that the Nagas would be now fed with another promise of final settlement after 2019 parliamentary elections.
Congress said the downslide of BJP in the nation had already begun and that the people who had given them massive mandate in 2014 were now rejecting it, as was evident in massive defeat of its candidates in the recent by-elections in Rajasthan where INC won all the three seats by huge margins against the saffron party, indicating the mood of voters.
Pointing out that at stake was the future of “our people” who thrived under democratic way of life since the ages, NPCC cautioned against bartering their rights, beliefs and customs for some instant gratification that could soon destroy the entire social fabric of the State.